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The American Mesopotamian Organization (AMO) condemns the decision by the integrity court of second Rusafa to sentence the former Iraqi minister of the environment, Mr. Sargon Lazar Slewa.

Mr. Sargon Lazar Slewa

The American Mesopotamian Organization believes that it is time for the United Nations and International Human Rights organizations to intervene on behalf of Mr. Slewa, to represent him and have his appeal trial moved to a different country.

(PRWEB)November 10, 2015

The American Mesopotamian Organization (AMO) strongly condemns the decision by the integrity court of second Rusafa against the former Iraqi minister of the environment, Mr. Sargon Lazar Slewa.

The aforementioned court sentenced Mr. Sargon Lazar Slewa to two years in prison and ordered him to pay the Iraqi State a restitution of 338 million dinars, equivalent to little over $284,000 USD.

“AMO was ecstatic when the current prime minister, Mr. Haider Al-Abadi, announced that he will fight corruption and promised to bring all corrupt politicians to justice,” said Mr. David William Lazar, chairman of the AMO.

“However, Mr. Lazar continued, “We believe that the courts in Iraq are being used as weapons in the hands of ambitious politicians.”

According to Transparency International, a recognized leader in fighting government corruption, a full 80% of Iraqis believe that the political parties in Iraq are corrupt. Almost two-thirds believe that the Iraqi courts are extremely corrupt.

“This is,” Mr. Lazar continued to opine, “a sad day for Iraq. The so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have ethnically cleansed hundreds of thousands of Assyrians, Yezidis, Turkmen and others from their towns and villages. Thousands of innocent civilians have been murdered, as well as thousands of women and children enslaved - all without the Iraqi government being able or willing to provide security for its most vulnerable citizens.”

The American Mesopotamian Organization has repeatedly called for International protection for Assyrians, Yezidis and other ethno-religious minorities in Iraq - especially after ISIS' invasion of the Nineveh Plain. In response to Mr. Sargon Lazar Slewa sentencing the American Mesopotamian Organization believes that it is time for the United Nations and International Human Rights organizations to intervene on behalf of Mr. Slewa, to represent him and have his appeal trial moved to a different country.

About the American Mesopotamian Organization
The American Mesopotamian Organization believes that the Assyrian American community can be instrumental in bringing about change to US policy towards the Assyrians of the Middle East. We strive to be part of this change and part of the solution in defending Assyrian political and human rights throughout the Near East. While we will represent the collective Assyrian American viewpoint on matters of public policy, we will also serve as liaison between the community and their elected leaders. For more information, please visit http://www.americanmesopotamian.org.